Universal needlefree bag access device

ABSTRACT

An attachment arrangement has a housing and a needle located within the housing. The arrangement allows administration ports of different sizes to be inserted into and secured within the housing. In certain embodiments, compliant retainers secure the administration port within the housing. In certain other embodiments, the administration port is secured within the housing when the housing is compressed against the administration port by a housing compression element. Once the administration port is secured within the housing, a fluid-tight seal is formed between the attachment device and the administration port.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments relate to a medical connection device, andmore particularly, to an attachment device which secures anadministration port of a fluid container, such as an intravenous bag.

BACKGROUND

In the medical field, medical professionals often need to administervarious fluids to patients. For example, medications are commonlyadministered to a patient intravenously in fluid form, as opposed tooral administration. Typically, the intravenous fluid administrationtakes place at periodic intervals over a length of time. To avoidrepeated direct injections into the patient, a catheter is ofteninserted into the patient's vein. The catheter is then left in placewith a receiver portion left protruding out of the patient. Thus, onlythe receiver portion needs to be accessed in order to administer fluidinto the patient. This method of fluid administration eliminates theneed to repeatedly inject the patient, which is not only painful for thepatient, but increases the risk for complications.

To administer the fluid to the patient via the catheter, a fluid sourcemust be accessed. Generally, the fluid is held in a bag or similarcontainer that must somehow be accessed, and then connected to thepatient's catheter, usually via a fluid line.

Various types of attachment devices are available to access the bagholding the fluid. Attachment devices for removing fluid from a bag, orinjecting fluid into a bag, are well known in the field. In general,they are relatively easy and efficient to use. Typically, such anattachment device includes a housing with connection ports at both ends.One end connects to the administration port of the bag holding thefluid, and the other end connects to a fluid line that eventuallydelivers the fluid to the patient. The fluid can then travel from thebag, through the attachment device, and through a fluid line to thepatient.

While current attachment devices are an improvement over older methodsof accessing bags, they are not without their problems. One of thebiggest problems with existing attachment devices is that manufacturersof the devices generally make attachment devices that are onlycompatible with that manufacturer's bags. Thus, existing attachmentdevices are proprietary, and are not designed to be universal attachmentdevices.

This is especially troublesome in the medical field, where nurses anddoctors often work in emergency situations. In these time-sensitivesituations, medical professionals do not have a great deal of time tofind an attachment device appropriately configured to be compatible witha particular administration port.

Therefore, there is a strong need for a universal attachment device thatwill work with a wide range of bags from various manufacturers. Thiswill increase efficiency in the medical field, benefiting both themedical professionals who use the attachment devices and the patientswho require an intravenous fluid administration.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by the disclosed embodiments whichprovide an attachment arrangement for attaching a connector to anadministration port of a fluid container. The attachment arrangementcomprises a housing having a receiving chamber, which is configured toreceive the administration port. The receiving chamber includes a wall.The attachment arrangement also includes at least one compliant retainerwithin the housing. The retainer is configured to comply with theadministration port when the administration port is inserted into thehousing. The compliant retainer also secures the administration withinthe housing. The attachment arrangement further includes a needle, whichis at least partially within the housing. The needle is configured topierce the administration port upon insertion of the administration portinto the housing.

The earlier stated needs and others are met by still other disclosedembodiments which provide an attachment arrangement comprising a housinghaving a receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is configured toreceive the administration port. The housing also includes acompressible outer housing surface, which is configured to be compressedinwardly towards the center of the receiving chamber. The compressibleouter housing surface secures the administration port in the receivingchamber. The attachment arrangement also includes a housing compressionelement mounted on the outer housing surface. The housing compressionelement is configured to interact with the outer housing surface tocompress the housing inwardly toward the center of the receivingchamber. The attachment arrangement further includes a needle at leastpartially within the housing. The needle is configured to pierce theadministration port upon insertion of the administration port into thehousing.

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of thedisclosed embodiments will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the attachment device;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment device of FIG. 1 andan administration port;

FIG. 4 is a partially-exploded view of the attachment device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the compliant retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom-perspective view of the upper portion of the housingof FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the attachmentdevice;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment device of FIG. 7 andan administration port;

FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of the attachment device;

FIG. 11 is perspective view of the slip ring of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is cross-sectional view of the another embodiment of theattachment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is contemplated that the subject matter described herein may beembodied in many forms. Accordingly, the embodiments described in detailbelow are the presently preferred embodiments, and are not to beconsidered as limitations.

The disclosed embodiments address problems related to the proprietarynature of current attachment devices and the concerns these cause intime critical situations. The disclosed embodiments solve theseproblems, at least in part, by providing an attachment arrangement forattaching a connector to an administration port of a fluid container.The attachment arrangement comprises a housing having a receivingchamber configured to receive the administration port. The receivingchamber includes a wall. The attachment arrangement also includes atleast one compliant retainer in the housing. The retainer is configuredto comply with the administration port when the administration port isinserted into the housing. The compliant retainer also secures theadministration port within the housing. The attachment arrangement isconfigured to accommodate various sizes of administration ports. Theattachment arrangement further includes a needle, which is at leastpartially within the housing. The needle is configured to pierce theadministration port upon insertion of the administration port into thehousing.

The earlier stated needs and others are met by still other disclosedembodiments which provide an attachment arrangement comprising a housinghaving a receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is configured toreceive the administration port. The housing also includes acompressible outer housing surface, which is configured to be compressedinwardly towards the center of the receiving chamber. The compressibleouter housing surface also secures the administration port in thereceiving chamber. The attachment arrangement also includes a housingcompression element mounted on the outer housing surface. The housingcompression element is configured to interact with the outer housingsurface to compress the housing inwardly toward the center of thereceiving chamber. The attachment arrangement is configured toaccommodate various sizes of administration ports. The attachmentarrangement further includes a needle at least partially within thehousing. The needle is configured to pierce the administration port uponinsertion of the administration port into the housing.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an attachment arrangement 10 comprising a housing 12.The attachment arrangement 10 is especially suitable for permanentlyattaching a connector 14, such as a needlefree connector 14, to anadministration port 16 of a fluid container, such as an intravenous (IV)bag (not shown). The housing 12 is generally cylindrically shaped in theillustrated embodiment, though this is exemplary only, as a number offlat wall sections 18 may be provided in addition to curved sections 20.The housing 12 includes a receiving chamber 22 with an insertion opening24 at one end of the housing 12. An administration port 16 (not shown inFIGS. 1 and 2) is inserted through the insertion opening 24 during use.

A plurality of compliant retainers 26 are located within the housing 12.The compliant retainers 26 may be configured as fingers, such as in theexemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, although other configurations may beemployed. The compliant retainers 26 are configured and positionedwithin the housing 12 such that when an administration port 16 isinserted into the housing 12 (as seen in FIG. 3), the compliantretainers 26 will secure the administration port 16 within the housing12. The housing 12 may be formed from a polymeric material, or any othermaterial. The compliant retainers 26 may be formed from metal; however,any other materials, including a polymeric material, may also be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the compliant retainers 26 may be formed suchthat they extend along the length of the housing 12 towards theinsertion opening 24, then project inwardly from the wall 18 ofreceiving chamber 22 at a non-perpendicular angle and away from theinsertion opening 24. Viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the compliant retainers26 angle downwards and inwards from the top of the housing 12. Referringnow also to FIG. 5, the compliant retainers 26 include a first portion28 that extends along the length of the wall 18, and a second portion 30that is biased to project inwardly from the receiving chamber wall 18.This second portion 30 is configured to flex towards the receivingchamber wall 18 during insertion of the administration port 16. Hence,administration ports 16 of various sizes, substantially up to thediameter of the insertion opening 24, can be accommodated by thecompliant retainers 26. Smaller diameter administration ports 16 willnot flex the second portions 30 towards the receiving chamber walls 18as much as larger diameter administration ports 16. The compliant natureof the second portions 30 allows different sized administration ports 16to be easily inserted into the housing 12. Hence, the attachmentarrangement 10 is able to accommodate administration ports 16 ofdifferent manufacturers and makes.

While the compliant retainers 26 are compliant to allow the secondportions 30 to flex towards the chamber walls 18, the compliantretainers 26 are generally inflexible in the direction towards theinsertion opening 24. Thus, once the administration port 16 has beenfully inserted into the housing 12, the compliant retainers 26 willexert a spring-load force on the administration port 16. As shown inFIG. 3, the compliant retainers 26 may flex back to their originalposition, or as close to their original position as the administrationport 16 size will allow, to secure the administration port 16 within thehousing 12. Additionally, the compliant retainers 26 may catch a flange32 (FIG. 3) of the administration port 16 at a second end 29 (FIG. 5) ofthe compliant retainers 26. Because the compliant retainers 26 aregenerally inflexible in the upward direction, the administration port 16may not be easily removed from the housing 12. A plurality of compliantretainers 26 is preferred, as a plurality of compliant retainers 26 willalso aid in the alignment of the administration port 16 within thehousing 12. However, it is contemplated that a single compliant retainer26 may secure the administration port 16 within the housing 12.

In another embodiment, once the administration port 16 is fully insertedinto the housing 12, the compliant retainers 26 may completely preventremoval of the administration port 16 from the arrangement. Thus, thecompliant retainers 26 would permanently secure the administration port16 within the housing 12.

The attachment device 10 further comprises a needle 34 that isconfigured to pierce the administration port 16 during insertion of theadministration port 16 into the receiving chamber 22. FIG. 2 shows theneedle 34 is located within the housing 12. The needle 34 may be formedof metal material, or any other material. As the attachment arrangement10 provides a needle 34, the attachment device 10 may be used inconjunction with a needlefree connector 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that can besecured to the attachment arrangement 10. The needlefree connector 14may be a closed male luer, such as a Texium™ valve; a needleless femalevalve, such as a SmartSite® valve; an open male luer; an open femaleluer; or a drip chamber and IV set directly connected to the attachmentarrangement 10.

As shown by FIG. 4, the housing 12 may include two portions, an upperportion 36 and a lower portion 38. The upper portion 36 includes abottom ridge 40. The lower portion 38 of the housing 12 can then beconnected to the bottom ridge 40, thereby connecting the lower portion38 of the housing 12 to the upper portion 36 of the housing 12. Thelower portion 38 may be connected to the bottom ridge 40 of the upperportion 36 by a snap feature, screw threads, adhesive bonding, welding,fasteners, or any other means of attachment. The lower portion 38 of thehousing 12 may permanently attach to the upper portion 36 of the housing12. While manufacturing of the attachment device 10 is made easier byforming the housing 12 from at least two portions, it is contemplatedthat the housing 12 may include only one portion.

FIG. 5 shows that the compliant retainers 26 may include a connectingportion 42 at a first end 31 of the compliant retainers 26. As shown byFIGS. 4 and 6, the connecting portion 42 may be configured so that itcan connect to the bottom ridge 40 of the upper portion 36 of thehousing 12. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the connecting portion 42 isgenerally hook-shaped. The connecting portion 42 may connect to thebottom ridge 40 by wrapping under and around the bottom ridge 40. Whenthe lower portion 38 of the housing 12 is connected to the bottom ridge40 of the housing 12, the lower portion 38 will secure the compliantretainers 26 to the housing 12 by enclosing the connecting portion 42around the bottom ridge 40. If the lower portion 38 is permanentlyattached to the upper portion 36, the connecting portion 42 of thecompliant retainers 26 would also be permanently attached to the bottomridge 40 of the upper portion 36 of the housing 12.

When the administration port 16 is fully inserted and secured into thehousing 12, a fluid-tight seal 44 may be formed between the attachmentdevice 10 and the administration port 16. The fluid-tight seal 44prevents fluid from escaping as fluid travels through the administrationport 16 and the attachment arrangement 10. Thus, patients will receivethe correct dosage of fluid. The fluid-tight seal 44 also serves toprotect caregivers from unintended exposure to the drugs.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the attachment arrangement 10, inwhich the housing 12 includes a compressible outer housing surface 46.The compressible outer housing surface 46 is configured to be compressedinwardly, towards the center of the receiving chamber 22. Thecompression of the outer housing surface 46 allows the housing 12 toessentially enclose around and secure the administration port 16 in thereceiving chamber 22. Thus, the housing 12 is flexible, and works toaccommodate various sizes of administration ports 16 within thereceiving chamber 22.

The attachment arrangement 10 further includes a housing compressionelement 48 mounted on the outer housing surface 46. The housingcompression element 48 is configured to interact with the outer housingsurface 46 to compress the housing 12 inwardly toward the center of thereceiving chamber 22. Thus, while the outer housing surface 46 iscompressible, manipulation of the housing-compression element 48 is whatcauses the outer housing surface 46 to compress and secure theadministration port 16.

The housing 12 is substantially cylindrical in shape. However, it iscontemplated that the housing 12 may be shaped in a non-cylindricalgeometry as well. The housing 12 includes at least one axial slit 50;however, a plurality of axial slits 50 may be included. The axial slit50 extends along the length of the housing 12, and it provides thehousing 12 with flexibility.

Upon insertion of the administration port 16 into the receiving chamber22, the axial slit 50 allows the housing 12 to flex open in the outwarddirection. This enables the receiving chamber 22 to receive andaccommodate a variety of different sized administration ports 16,including larger sized ones. Of course, if a smaller administration port16 is used, there may not be a need for the housing 12 to flex in theoutward direction.

Additionally, the axial slit 50 also allows the housing 12 to inwardlycompress such that the housing 12 may bear on and secure theadministration port 16 within the receiving chamber 22. As discussedabove, this is beneficial because it allows the housing 12 to secureadministration ports 16 of various sizes, and from variousmanufacturers, within the receiving chamber 22.

The outer housing surface 46 may be threaded with threads, and thehousing compression element 48 may be a nut concentrically mounted onthe threads. Thus, the nut 48 may be screwed around the outer housingsurface 46, compressing and tightening the housing 12 around theadministration port 16. The housing 12 may also include a first end 52with an insertion opening 24 through which the administration port 16 isinserted into the receiving chamber 22. Opposite the first end 52 is asecond end 54 of the housing 12. The threads may have a pitch diameter56 that increases towards the first end 52. The increase in pitchdiameter 56 allows for insertion of larger administration ports 16 intothe receiving chamber 22. The presence of the axial slit 50 eliminatesany looseness created by the larger diameter 56 around an insertedadministration port 16, as the axial slit 50 enables the housing 12 tocompress around the administration port 16 within the receiving chamber22, as the nut 48 is moved towards the first end 52. This secures theadministration port 16 within the housing 12.

As shown by FIG. 8, the housing 12 further includes a notch 58, which islocated within the receiving chamber 22. The notch 58 is configured tointeract with a flange 32 of the administration port 16 (not shown inFIG. 8). As shown by FIG. 9, when the administration port 16 is insertedinto the housing 12, the notch 58 grasps the flange 32, further securingthe administration port 16 within the housing 12.

The flexibility provided by the axial slit 50 coupled with the largerdiameter 56 allows the housing 12 to flex open and outwardly in order toreceive an administration port 16. Once the administration port 16 isinserted, and the notch 58 has grasped the flange 32, the housing mayflex back to substantially its original position, or as close thereto asthe size of the administration port 16 will allow. As shown in FIG. 8,the pitch diameter 56 of the threads increases on the outer housingsurface 46 from the notch 58 to the first end 52. Thus, the movement ofthe nut 48 towards the first end 52 of the housing 12 compresses thehousing 12 inwardly. This secures the administration port 16 within thenotch 58 of the housing 12.

As shown in FIG. 7, the outer housing surface 46 may also include aflange 60 remote from the first end 52. The flange 60 is configured andlocated such that a user may grasp onto it during rotation of the nut 48around the housing 12. This ensures easy and efficient use of theattachment arrangement 10.

As shown in FIGS. 10-11, in another embodiment, the housing 12 may notbe threaded. The housing compression element 48 is a slip ring 48concentrically mounted on the outer housing surface 46. The outerhousing surface 46 includes a plurality of notches 62 between the firstand second ends 52, 54. The notches 62 are configured such that movementof the slip ring 48 towards the first end 52 of the housing 12 when theadministration port 16 is within the receiving chamber 22 compresses thehousing 12 inwardly. Thus, depending on the size of the administrationport 16, the slip ring 48 would fit into a different notch 48.

The slip ring 48, shown in FIG. 11, may include an opening 64. Theopening is formed such that it may slide over the flange 60. As shown inFIG. 10, the flange may include four separate segments. Thus, theopening 64 may be shaped to include four corresponding cut-outs. Thecut-outs may be aligned with the four segments such that the slip ring48 may be slipped over the housing 12. Once the slip ring 48 surroundsthe housing 12, it may be rotated forty-five degrees such that it cannotbe removed without an additional rotation. The slip ring 48 furtherincludes radially spaced slits 66 surround the opening. The slits 66allow the slip ring 48 to have more flexibility when sliding over thehousing 12.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 12, the housing 12 may be formed suchthat it may accommodate a variety of lengths of administration ports 16.At least two undercuts 68 may be located inside the housing 12 toaccommodate for the variously sized administration ports 16.

1. An attachment arrangement for attaching a connector to anadministration port of a fluid container, comprising: a housing having areceiving chamber configured to receive the administration port, thereceiving chamber having a wall; at least one compliant retainer in thehousing, the retainer configured to comply with the administration portwhen the administration port is inserted into the housing and to securethe administration port within the housing; and a needle at leastpartially within the housing and configured to pierce the administrationport upon insertion of the administration port into the housing.
 2. Theattachment arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofcompliant retainers projecting inwardly from the receiving chamber. 3.The attachment arrangement of claim 2, wherein the receiving chamber hasan insertion opening through which the administration port is insertedand wherein the compliant retainers project inwardly at anon-perpendicular angle from the receiving chamber wall and away fromthe insertion opening.
 4. The attachment arrangement of claim 3, whereinthe compliant retainers include a first portion extending substantiallyparallel to the receiving chamber wall and a second portion that isbiased to project inwardly from the receiving chamber wall and away fromthe opening, the second portion configured to flex towards the chamberwall during insertion of the administration port within the receivingchamber and being inflexible towards the opening.
 5. The attachmentarrangement of claim 4, wherein the compliant retainers include a firstend connected to the housing and a second end on the second portion, thesecond end contacting the inserted administration port to secure theadministration port within the receiving chamber.
 6. The attachmentarrangement of claim 5, wherein the housing comprises an upper portionand a lower portion, the upper portion including a bottom ridge, whereinthe lower portion connects to the bottom ridge of the upper portion. 7.The attachment arrangement of claim 6, wherein the compliant retainerscomprise a connecting portion at the first ends configured to connectthe compliant retainers to the bottom ridge of the upper portion of thehousing.
 8. The attachment arrangement of claim 7, wherein the lowerportion of the housing connects to the bottom ridge of the housing suchthat the lower portion of the housing secures the compliant retainers tothe housing.
 9. The attachment arrangement of claim 8, furthercomprising a snap connection that connects the lower and upper portionsof the housing.
 10. The attachment arrangement of claim 9, wherein theconnecting portion is a hook configured to hook over the bottom ridge.11. The attachment arrangement of claim 4, wherein the compliantretainers are positioned symmetrically around the receiving chamber tocenter the administration port within the receiving chamber.
 12. Theattachment arrangement of claim 11, wherein the compliant retainers forman expandable opening within the receiving chamber configured toaccommodate administration ports of different diameters.
 13. Theattachment arrangement of claim 1, wherein a fluid-tight seal is formedbetween the attachment device and the administration port.
 14. Theattachment arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a needlelessconnector coupled to the lower portion of the housing and the needle.15. The attachment arrangement of claim 14, wherein the needlelessconnector is at least one of a closed male luer, a needleless femalevalve, an open male luer, an open female luer, or a drip chamber and IVset.
 16. An attachment arrangement for attaching a connector to anadministration port of a fluid container, comprising: a housing having:a receiving chamber configured to receive the administration port; and acompressible outer housing surface configured to be compressed inwardlytowards the center of the receiving chamber and secure theadministration port in the receiving chamber; a housing compressionelement mounted on the outer housing surface and configured to interactwith the outer housing surface to compress the housing inwardly towardthe center of the receiving chamber; and a needle at least partiallywithin the housing and configured to pierce the administration port uponinsertion of the administration port into the housing.
 17. Theattachment arrangement of claim 16, wherein the housing is substantiallycylindrical with at least one axial slit configured to allow the housingto flex outwardly upon insertion of the administration port into thereceiving chamber and inwardly to compress the housing to bear on andsecure the administration port within the receiving chamber.
 18. Theattachment arrangement of claim 17, wherein the outer housing surface isthreaded with threads and the housing compression element is a nutconcentrically mounted on the threads.
 19. The attachment arrangement ofclaim 18, wherein the housing has a first end with an insertion openingthrough which the administration port is inserted into the receivingchamber and a second end.
 20. The attachment arrangement of claim 19,further comprising a notch within the receiving chamber, the notchconfigured to interact with a flange of the administration port.
 21. Theattachment arrangement of claim 19, wherein the pitch diameter of thethreads increases on the outer housing surface from the notch towardsthe first end such that movement of the nut towards the first end of thehousing compresses the housing inwardly.
 22. The attachment arrangementof claim 22, wherein the outer housing surface has a flange remote fromthe first end, the flange configured for grasping by a user duringrotation of the nut.
 23. The attachment arrangement of claim 17, whereinthe housing compression element is a slip ring concentrically mounted onthe outer housing surface, and wherein the outer housing surfaceincludes a plurality of notches between the first and second end andconfigured such that movement of the slip ring towards the first end ofthe housing when the administration port is within the receiving chambercompresses the housing inwardly.
 24. The attachment arrangement of claim23, wherein the slip ring includes radially spaces slits around anopening.